How to Start a Quilting Business

Quilting businesses often provide settings where quilters gather to work on projects and purchase supplies. Quilt shops also frequently host quilting classes where instructors demonstrate specialized techniques or utilize unconventional materials. “Entrepreneur” magazine observes that quilting enthusiasts value the tradition and character of a hand-made quilt. At the same time, a customer can use quilt design software to create a distinctive quilt. This appreciation of old and new techniques suggests why quilting is such a popular activity.

Step 1

Lease a visible and convenient location. Find a building accessible from major highways and main roads so quilting fans from adjacent towns can easily reach your store. Ensure you have adequate parking and a front display window to showcase colorful quilts. Look for a site near upscale kitchen or ladies' clothing stores, as your quilting store may have a similar customer base. Work with a sign-making company to create colorful quilting-themed building signage.

Step 2

Visit your regional quilting competition. Locate quilting shops in your city and surrounding towns, and discreetly visit them to observe their operations. View their décor, product and service offerings and customer interactions. Obtain brochures, price sheets and descriptions of upcoming classes. Note missing services your business could provide, such as a quilt repair service.

Create your quilting products and services menu. Identify products needed for varied quilting projects, such as a wide variety of fabrics and trims. Plan to stock traditional and contemporary quilt patterns as well as tools and sewing accessories. Evaluate quilting-capable sewing machines for a possible dealership opportunity. Create an ongoing schedule of quilting classes and weekly quilting club sessions. Consider services such as quilt restoration and repair, along with custom quilt creation.

Step 4

Order your quilting supplies and tools. Compile a wholesale order of quilting supplies, materials and tools. Include colorful fabrics, batting and trims. Order quilt patterns and tools such as differently sized needles and sewing notions. Consider children’s and beginners’ quilting project kits as well. Obtain instructional books and quilt design software. Purchase special gifts for avid quilters.

Step 5

Hire outgoing quilting hobbyists. Find employees passionate about quilting who enjoy helping others with quilting projects. Network within business and church groups, and contact leaders of 4H groups and craft circles. Place carefully worded newspaper help wanted ads as well. Outfit your staff in matching professional attire. Design unconventional events to attract customers, such as a monthly quilting bee or a teens’ quilting club.

Step 6

Host a grand opening quilt festival. Open your doors with an exhibition of antique and prize-winning quilts. Engage a quilting expert to talk about industry innovations, and offer grand opening discounts on quilting supply packages. Conduct drawings for quilting accessories, and use entry forms for a mailing list. Advertise the event in the community pages of newspapers and on regional craft websites. Distribute fliers to craft shops, senior centers and sewing groups.

About the Author

Based in North Carolina, Felicia Greene has written professionally since 1986. Greene edited sailing-related newsletters and designed marketing programs for the New Bern, N.C. "Sun Journal" and New Bern Habitat ReStore. She earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration from the University of Baltimore.

Photo Credits

Have Feedback?

Thank you for providing feedback to our Editorial staff on this article. Please fill in the following information so we can alert the Small Business editorial team about a factual or typographical error in this story. All Fields are required.